This is the blog for Gavin and Carrie Jones and family. We live in Papua New Guinea and are working to support Bible translations in progress around the country. Gavin is a helicopter pilot. Carrie has her degree in Public Health, but her "public" now consists of our ten-year-old, Isaac, and our two-year-old quintuplets, Will, David, Marcie, Seth, and Grace.

But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him and his righteousness with their children's children . . . Psalm 103:17

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Monday, January 28, 2013

The Valley of Blessing!

Remember the post from way back in September Jones' Clips: Gavin and Carrie Jones' Blog: Midnight devotional, when Seth was so sick we didn't know what to do besides pray? I found great comfort from 2 Chronicles 20, when several allied kingdoms marched out against God's people, completely overwhelming and terrifying them. Their king said, "We are powerless . . . We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help." The Lord's response was:Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged . . . , for the battle is not yours, but God’s. It goes on to say: 21 After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang:“Give thanks to the LORD; his faithful love endures forever!”22 At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves. 24 So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped.And then, the reason for the title of this post: 26 On the fourth day they gathered in the Valley of Blessing, which got its name that day because the people praised and thanked the Lord there. It is still called the Valley of Blessing today. 30 So Jehoshaphat’s kingdom was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.We are happily at peace as a family of 8, blessed by rest provided by God via our wonderful helpers! We are overflowing with gratitude. I've had trouble falling asleep at night, I am SO happy and thankful knowing all of us are under one roof finally. We are certainly praising the Lord for His faithful love and for the battle He has won - and not only the battle for Seth's earthly life, but also the ultimate battle over sin and eternal death when Jesus rose from the dead. We deeply appreciate those of you who are praying with us that each of our babies will accept the sacrifice He made to take away their sin, allowing them to come to God as His children. We're blessed beyond words by the fact that we can boldly approach the throne of grace as we have many, many times over the past year. Thank you "family members" for joining us there - we've certainly found abundant help in our time of need! To God be the glory!Carrie for us all

Seth is smiling, although it looks a little goofy. Will's shirt says "Daddy's Big Guy" and Seth's says "Mommy's Big Guy," and David is our very dapper smaller guy.

United at last! Clockwise from bottom: Grace, Seth, Marcie, David, Will

Precious friends: I am so proud of you. Your comments to God's Word and about your dear children bring tears to my eyes. I love you so! Seth seems to sense he is home where he belongs. They are all so sweet.

Praise God for those 5 precious little heads all together! I've been so excited to see that. Thank you, Lord, for answering our prayers for each little Jones (and the bigger ones, too), and we pray Your continued blessing on their family!

I am so happy that all babies are home! I was at the babyshower at Faith bible church and attend there! I wanted to extend my help in anyway, also wanted to offer a photo session of the babies. I am an amateur photographer and would love to give ya'll that as a gift. Please email me at timeislovephotography@yahoo.com

Father, these little blessings are a mighty example of Your love and mercy and grace, and we Thank You so much for how well these babies are doing, and for bringing Seth home. Please continue to provide the help and resources needed to raise all the Jones children and allow them to grow up and reach the world for You with their story. It is an amazing story, and You are the author, Lord. We give You all praise and honor. Amen. NKL

Praise God from whom all blessings flow...Thank you for sharing your love of Him and being such beautiful, amazing witnesses to the world and sharing this journey with us. Know that all 'eight' of you are ever in our thoughts and prayers and tears of joy are flowing at seeing the miracles that God and the two of you have brought into our world, and now finally home...

Carrie I'am so happy for you that Seth is home!!! Thank you Jeseus!!!! Praying that your babys don't ever have to have a stay at hosptail again. They look so happy to be together again as five. It is a true blessing that god let all of your quints live. They all look great and very chute.

Praising God for your beautiful family!! Your quiver is full:) I sure wish I lived closer (3 hrs. south) to you so I could come and help out. I've been following your story since the babies were born. God is faithful.

Again, on my knees praising our Father and thanking Him for his MANY blessings bestowed to your family (and us all). Tears, tears of joy for all of you. You are indeed blessed by your 6 beautiful children. I pray everyone maintains their health and happiness, they all certainly look happy and healthy in these pictures! Extra prayers for all the wonderful help your receiving with the babies at home, those loving hands and hearts are truly a gift from God! Prayers continue.....

They are so adorable What a blessing. I am not sure but it looked like in the picture that Seth was still get his tube feeding I hope it was stopped and off but if it was still going he should not be laying flat his head should be at a 45 degree angle so he doesn't aspirate. I would hate to see him get aspiration pneumonia. If it was off great and I am sorry for saying anything but the nurse and momma in me saw the tube still connected and had to say anything.

I absolutely love the pictures of them all together!!! Again, thanks so much for sharing your journey and taking precious time to even upload pictures for us to see. It is beyond words how wonderful it makes my heart soar to see them all together. I will continue to pray for all of you every day as I have done since these precious miracles were born. Your post tonight was so precious. God Bless you all.

I've wept with joy and I've wept with sadness, but I think this may be the first time I've wept from cuteness. :) So darling. Now we just need a spiral with Isaac, Mommy, and Daddy included. ;) LOVE. LOVE. LOVE.

We are thrilled to see these photos of your precious babies together at last! We check for blog updates and photos every day. Rachel(16) wants to come to Texas and meet you all and help care for your babies!Esther Dedrick Long

I discovered your blog within a few days of your babies' birth and have been following it ever since. The only support I'm able to offer is prayer support, which has been full of praise these last few days with Seth coming home. I really enjoy today's photos. I'm especially intrigued by the way Marcie is holding on, or at least touching, her two nearest brothers in every shot. She seems to need that tactile assurance that they're close by. Especially Seth. May blessings continue to flow.Miriam

It is wonderful to see the babies finally reunited and all under one roof with their parents and big brother. This is going to bring new challenges, but I know you will embrace them knowing the nicu is a thing of the past!

I am so thankful that you are reunited together! Its been a blessing following your blog! Then to hear your heart that these babies find Jesus as their Saviour! That is the most important ! God bless your family and may He be glorified! Naomi Miller from Delaware

So happy to see all the babies together, thank you Lord for all you do for this family. I know big Seth will thrive even more being with the rest of the family, they look like they are already having fun! What a blessing you guys are to us being able to look in on your family and the adventure you are having. Thank you!